Ohio's stay-at-home order extended through Memorial Day

Ohio’s stay-at-home order is being extended through the end of May, impacting Memorial Day weekend throughout the state.

The state’s stay-at-home order — first issued by Gov. Mike DeWine and health officials on March 22 — was set to expire late Thursday, but DeWine said during his daily coronavirus briefing it would be extended with exceptions for certain businesses.

“When retail opens up, that certainly will be a major exception for that,” DeWine told reporters, WCMH reports. “Certainly it’s an exception in just few days when manufacturing and other companies are allowed to start back so, it will be extended.”

DeWine didn’t indicate the duration of the extension Thursday, but a new mandate released later in the day by the Ohio Department of Health shows the “Stay Safe Ohio” order will remain in “full force” through May 29 unless rescinded by state health officials.

That means no Memorial Day parades on May 25, as well as backyard get-togethers with more than 10 people or community pools opening during the unofficial start of the summer, Cleveland.com reports.

DeWine is expected to discuss the new order during an afternoon press conference Friday, the website reports.

While schools, restaurants and bars remain closed under the newly amended order, some nonessential surgeries will be allowed starting Friday. Manufacturing and construction businesses can then reopen on Monday, followed by retail stores on May 12.

All Ohioans are also ordered to “continue to stay at home or their place of residence” with the exception of essential travel, the order states.